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(No Model.) 2 Sheet s-Sheet' 1. H. K. AUSTIN.

, OAR AXLE BOX. NO.. 336,685. Patented Feb. 23, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. K. AUSTIN.

GAR AXLEBOX. No. 336,685. Patented Feb. 23, 1886.

5% Kb T I :J n 9 Wm w I H T .1 7X H if 8 fiM MAJQM UNITED STATES IPATENT OFFICE.

HARRY KENNETH AUSTIN, OF CARN BREA VILLA, \VASHVVOOD HEATH ROAD, COUNTYOF WVARWIGK, ENGLAND.

CAR-AXLE BOX.

ZPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,685, dated February23, 1886.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY KENNETH Aus- TIN, a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, residing at Oarn Brea Villa,\Vasl1wood Heath Road,Saltley, in the county of VVarwiclgEngland, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Axle-Boxes, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention has for its object improvements in axle-boxes and relatesespecially to axle-boxes lubricated with oil, and in which the oil isapplied to the axle by lateral pads, which are themselves fed by wicksdipping down into an oil reservoir or chamber beneath.

I provide the oil-reservoir chamber with a removable sheet-metal coverwhich extends horizontally from end to end of the box. At the ends itfits the box closely,but at the sides apertures are left for the wicksto pass freely. The oil is thus confined in the oil-chamber so that itcannot be thrown up out by the oscillation of the carriage, but can onlybe raised by the capillary action of the wicks. A cup is provided in thecenter of the cover or partition. It serves two purposes as a receptaclefor impurities, and asa socket orholder to receivea coiled spring bywhich the lubricatingpads are pressed upto the axle. The pads, which, asheretofore, are of felt, are attached to the inner side of asemi-cylindrical holder of sheet metal. There are slits in the sides ofthe holder, through which the feeding-wicks are passed. A hollow conicalstud is fixed to the under side of the pad-holder. It enters within thecoiled spring, and it serves to keep the holder in place, the springitself being held by the socket which receives it. The oil-receiver ismade to project from the end of the axle-box, and here an apertureclosed by a screw-plug is provided. By removing the plug it is easy toascertain if the box is sufficiently supplied with oil. To exclude dustfrom the box,I provide a dust-shield. It is inserted into a groove inthe outer box. This shield consists of plates of carbonized fiber, hardwood, or other suitable material. It is made in two parts which closetogether and embrace the axle between them. One

part is composed of two outer plates of U form superposed, but keptapart by a middlethickness inserted between them at the bottom. Theother part has aoentral portion of U form, but inverted, and to thisthere are fixed on either side blocks similar to the middle thickness ofthe first part. These parts fit together and inclose a circular space bywhich the axle passes between them. A spring tends to close the partstogether, and it keeps the axle lightly nipped.

In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readilycarried into effect, I will proceed to describe the drawings hereuntoannexed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan, Fig.

2 is a longitudinal section, Fig. 3 is a transverse section, and Fig. 4is an end elevation, of an axle box constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 5 is a front elevation, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation,of the dustshield.

The journal A of the axle is inclosed by the cover B and the outer boxor case, 0, the lower part of which forms the oil chamber or re ceiver.The parts B and C are held together by means of bolts. The weight ofvehicle is transmitted to journal by means of the rocking bearing D,which allows the axle-box to keep its correct position when runninground curves.

The weight of vehicle may, however, i

also be transmitted to the journal by means of a bearing which does notrock. It should have on its back and sides suitable channels fordistributing the oil when poured into the axle-box.

The lubrication of the journal is effected by means of thelubricating-pads E E, which are constantly saturated with oil containedin the bottom of chamber 0 by means of the siphonwicks F F attached tothem. The lubricatingpads are held in correct position by means of asolid semi-cylindrical frame, G, this frame being kept in position bythe journal A and spring I I, which surrounds the stud G on the underside of the frame G.

The lower portion of the oil-chamber G is divided by the removablewrought-iron cover plate or partition K, which rests on supports in thepart 0, and has fixed into it at the center a circular cup, M, in whichthe lubricatorframe spring is contained. This loose division-platereceives and retains the oil which descends from the journal after ithas completed the lubrication. Any deleterious grit or sediment whichthis oil may contain collects in the cup M, and the heavy particlessettle in the bottom, or are deposited on the dished surface of theplate K, while the clear oil flows back into the main oil-chamber. Thisdivisionplate also baffles back the sudden rush of oil to the end ofaxle-box when passing over uneven roads, which would otherwise cause theoil to escape from the axle-box.

\Vhen the axle-box has been running for any length of time, theoil-chamber will require to be cleaned out. The division-plate is theneasily removed from its position, so that access may be had to theoil-chamber.

The axle-box is entirely closed around the axle by means of thedust-shield L, which works in grooves formed for its reception in coverB and oil chamber O.

The dust-shield Lis formed of plates of carbonized fiber, hard-wood, orany other suitable material.

As represented in Figs. 5 and 6, the lower part of the dust-shield isconiposed of three plates, L, U, and L fixed together. L and L are of Uform, and have sides or horns which project up on either side of theaxle and extend above it; but the central part, L", is of a width equalonly to the diameter of the axle, and does not extend above its center.The side horns of the parts L and L are notched at their upper ends toreceive a cross-bar, L, which serves to support a spring, L The upperportion of this dust-shield is also in three parts which are fixedtogether. The

external parts,L and Lflare similar in form to L, while the centralpart, L is similar to L and L". By the operation of the spring the upperand lower parts of the dust-shield are drawn into close contact with theaxle, gently clipping it,'and thus securing the whole axlebox fromentrance of dust.

The oil-chamber O has at the front a pro jection, N, fitted with ascrew, 0, and is arranged so that the quantity of oil remaining inbottom of chamber 0 may at any time be ascertained. The cover Bis alsofitted with a screw,P, for the purpose of supplying the axle box withoil.

I claim 1. In an axle box, the removable divisionplate or partition K,closing the oil-chamber below the journal from end to end,aud havingapertures for the passage of the siphon-wicks F, and a cup,M,serving toreceive a springl, and also as a receptacle for the oil descending fromthe journal, substantially as described.

2. In an axle box, the semi cylindrical frame G, carrying two side pads,E E, having a space between them beneath the axle, and the siphon-wicksF F, supplying the side pads, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

3. The combination, with the axle-box, of the dust-shield consisting ofthe plates L L L, of U form, the plate L, fixed to the plates L L theplates L U, fixed to the plateL and the spring by the action of whichthe dustguard is caused to nip the axle, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

HARRY KENNETH AUSTIN.

Witnesses:

JAMES OSWALD LADDS,

8 Alum Rock Road, SaZtZey. ALEXANDER RITSON WILsoN,

NecheZZs Park Road, Birmingham, Olerk,-

